WEEK AHEAD: Jack Black Hosts the VMAs

Jack Black will cook up his comedic magic on MTV’s Video Music Awards on Thursday. PEOPLE looks at who else will be making the scene, plus other events happening in the coming week:

SUNDAY, AUG. 27: With Conan O’Brien at the helm as the host of the Emmy Awards, celebrities had better be prepared to laugh at themselves. The Late Night poobah will bring his irreverent sense of humor to TV’s biggest night, broadcast live on NBC from L.A.’s Shrine Auditorium (8 p.m. ET). PEOPLE TV editor Jamie Bufalino is already predicting wins for 24‘s Kiefer Sutherland and The Closer‘s Kyra Sedgwick (find out his other Emmy picks).

But, of course, the celebrating really starts after the show: The stars will hit the Entertainment Tonight/PEOPLE party at the Mondrian Hotel’s Asia de Cuba restaurant and Skybar on the Sunset Strip. Among the highlights: a performance by Prince, a sneak peak at new Maybelline products and a Häagen-Dazs Sweet Suite. What better way for those without a trophy to drown their sorrows?

TUESDAY, AUG. 29: With her single “A Public Affair” still in rotation on MTV, Jessica Simpson will finally unveil her full A Public Affair album. For fans looking for clues into her breakup with Nick Lachey, don’t expect much dirt to be dished, though she gets emotional on the country song “Let Him Fly” and the ballad “I Don’t Want to Care.” And here’s a head-scratcher: Simpson covers Dead or Alive’s 1985 hit “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).” File that under the category of Things That Make You Say Hmmm.

Always wanted to hear Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless belt her heart out? Not really? No matter. Now’s your chance. A host of non-singing celebs will pair up with music stars including Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Peter Frampton and Michael Bolton in the new FOX series Celebrity Duets, hosted by Wayne Brady. Simon Cowell is executive producer of the show and, like American Idol, each week a new wannabe singer will be voted off by viewers until the last aspiring crooner remains. The prize? $100,000 for his or her favorite charity. (FOX at 8 p.m. ET)

THURSDAY, AUG. 31:Shakira and the Red Hot Chili Peppers lead the pack of the nominees at MTV’s Video Music Awards, airing live from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall at 8 p.m. ET. Jack Black will keep things moving as the night’s emcee while Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé and the Killers rock the house.